James 5:6-7 (Part 17) The Importance of Patience (Part 3)

Psalm 13—a lament Psalm (5 parts)—normal order is:

• The address to God, v. 1a

• The problem stated, vv. 1b-2

• An expression of trust, v. 5 (he moves this one down one)

• A request, vv. 3-4 (he moves this one up one)

• Praise, v. 6

Psalm 13 outline (we learn how David works through pain to praise)

• David’s question, vv. 1-2

o “How long”—expresses extreme and forsakenness

 At this point David has a promise with no confirming evidence

o Dual problem, v. 2: (1) internal & (2) external

• David’s petition, vv. 3-4

• David’s trust, vv. 5-6—confidence expressed in a song to the Lord

James 5:7-11, exhortation to patience

• “Patience”—vv. 7-10—ability not to retaliate: illustrations:

o Early and later rain—be patient like the farmer who trusts the faithfulness of God, v. 7

o Patience based on the fact that we know the ultimate outcome, v. 8

o Be patient with those who irritate you, v. 9 (deal with the inner attitude)

o Prophets—model of patience, v. 10

• “Patience”—v. 11—hupomone (ability to carry a load)

o Job—the idea of persistence

Prohibition of oaths, v. 12

• Don’t make a moral issue out of this

• James is dealing with the Jewish habit (we do this, too)

o I promise

o I swear

o I’m telling the truth

The subject of prayer, vv. 13-18

• The call to prayer, vv. 13-16

o Emotional situations, v. 13

o Physical situations, vv. 14-16

• The effectiveness of prayer, vv. 17-18